what lawmakers in washington are doing to try to avoid the "fiscal cliff." ,, ,,,,,,,,,,,, fiscal cliff. the house and senate return to work tomor s reporter tara me >>> the clock is ticking as congressional leaders struggle to avoid the "fiscal cliff." the house and senate return to work tomorrow. cbs reporter tara mergener on what senate leaders are doing to come up with a last-minute compromise. >> reporter: house majority leader john boehner and senate minority leader mitch mcconnell were in the capital building today hoping to beat the deadline to the luge "fiscal cliff." >> got to get a deal? >> hope so. >> reporter: behind closed doors, senate leaders are cobbling together a pared down agreement that at least protects the middle class from tax increases january 1. it won't address deficit resit, across-the-board spending cuts or other issues. in both party addresses, it's clear a big sticking point remains. >> it's a balanced plan one that would protect the middle class, cut spending in a responsible way, and ask the wealthiest americans to pay more. >> the president's tax hike w